Imane Khelif's Controversy: A Timeline Of Events
Imane Khelif (born 2 May 1999) is an Algerian amateur boxer who represented Algeria in the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics
During the 2024 Olympics, rumors claimed Imane Khelif was transgender after her win over Angela Carini, despite Algeria's ban on gender transition
The IBA claimed Khelif was ineligible, but the IOC confirmed her eligibility and deemed many reports misleading
From rural Tiaret, Khelif switched to boxing, selling scrap metal for training despite her father's disapproval
Khelif finished 17th in the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Championships and 33rd in 2019, both times after losing in the first round
Khelif represented Algeria in the women's lightweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics but was beaten by Ireland's Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals
Khelif was the first Algerian woman to reach the 2022 IBA final, finished as runner-up, and later won gold at the Mediterranean Games and African Championships
In March 2023, Khelif was disqualified from the IBA Championships over eligibility issues, with the IOC criticizing the IBA's process
It was in the 2023 World Boxing Championships that Imane Khelif first triggered the gender controversy
At the 2023 World Boxing Championships, Khelif was barred for having XY chromosomes, while the Algerian Olympic Committee cited medical reasons; Khelif called it a conspiracy
In January 2024, Khelif became a UNICEF ambassador and was cleared to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics despite facing online backlash and criticism